I need new tires soon on my 95SE (5-speed). I intend keeping the OEM 15" wheels. I like the 4x4 look, lol!

As I am restricted to choice in all-season tires with that wheel, I have narrowed my decision down to either the BF Goodrich Traction TAs (H-rated)
or the Yokohama Avid H4S (H-rated). They are both warranty rated at 60K and are priced the same where I'm from.

I have been leaning towards the Traction TAs for traction & handling reasons.
The Avids outperform in noise levels and riding comfort.

I have an FSTB and intend to buy an RSB once I have the new tires. I like to drive faster than I should on twisty roads and am not a street racer.

Now I have discovered that the Avids only weigh 21 pounds, whereas the Traction TAs weigh in at 25 lbs.

I take it that my car would be faster in the lower gears with the lighter-weight tire. Is that correct? What about at passing speeds if I were to boot it at say 50 or 60 mph in 3rd gear?

I may now be leaning towards the Avid H4S. Any other suggestions?

Thanks

 

Also, would the lighter-weight tires benefit fuel economy to any extent?

 

I'm grateful for all the feedback to date. Keep the comments coming, lol!

Thank you

 

I would look into the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500's.......check our the ratings on Tire Rack and they are very highly rated -moreso than the Yokos. I installed them on my daughter's Neon and they are dowright fantastic tires.

And yes, all else being equal, a lighter tire -or anything else u can do to reduce rolling mass or unsprung weight will improve performance anf ride comfort.

 

The only Firestone tires I could see that would fit are the Firestone Afflinity LH30. I am looking for an H-rated high-performance all-season tire in 215-60-15.

 

I recommended those to another Neon owner and he is extremely impressed with them. They also have essentially the same tread pattern as the 2x expensive Turanza LSVs and LSH's...
galo

 

I'll keep that in mind. But for what I'm looking for the Traction TAs and Avid H4S are rated #1 and #2, respectively, for my car on tirerack. They are both the same price where I am from. Costco has a sale starting April 11.

 

bump. I'm particularly interested in hearing feedback on the merits of opting for the lighter weight tire.

 

I really doubt that you will notice a 5lb or under weight diff in the tires ..... I could barely tell the diff in ride when I ran a wheel and tire combo over 10lbs diff... I could tell a ride diff.... but the heavy set was bigger and lower profile tires...... idealy the lighest wheel tire assy should... stop/ride and accl better..... as for your tire choice.. I have always had good luck with Yokohama tires.... I think they would be a good choice ..unless you want the max performance.... one of my friends has been running the Traction TAs .... he has been very happy with the performance.... they have been faster than his old ES100s in autox

 

More feedback on my lighter weight tire query would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

Anything you can do to reduce unsprung weight will bring nothing but benefits in all the areas you are looking at. Lighter rims, lighter tires, two piece rotors, aluminum calipers, aluminum control arms will all reduce unsprung weight, which will improve acceleration, braking, cornering and fuel economy. If you decide to follow an "unsprung diet" you can then reduce spring rates and dial back on shock valving to improve handling and ride comfort! Its truely a best of both worlds situation!! However, the big drawback to all this is that all the parts I've mentioned are usually very expensive, unless the factory gives you a head start by equiping your car with some of these things. As an example, the Corvette has forged aluminum lower control arms and cast aluminum upper arms. They also came out with a magnesium wheel option in 98-99 time frame which looked exactly like the current 5 spoke design that was used in 2000-2004 corvetes in aluminum. I'm not exactly sure of the weight savings, but I believe magnesium is about 30% lighter than an equivalient aluminum piece. Here's a related article that may help:
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...rcycle-wheels/